HSS sharpening

[Richard Smithers 1Participant @richardsmithers1]

Hi

Is it practical to sharpen HSS lathe tools on a linisher?

If so I would appreciate some details and advice.

If it is then could someone suggest a suitable machine?

Many thanks

Richard.

[Richard Smithers 1Participant @richardsmithers1]

[Oompa LumpaParticipant @oompalumpa34302]

Yes.

Any amount of advice here: British Blades

Not meaning to be controversial but if you want to know anything about grinding on linishers, these guys seem to be the experts.

[DustyParticipant @dusty]

Is it possible,yes, is it practical, no. If you are just going to restore the edge on a lathe tool then maybe you will get away with it. I f however you need to reshape the tool or have a serious regrind then a grinder is the tool to use. A linisher is not designed to grind lathe tools, you would need to modify it drastically to enable you to grind lathe tools. The site refered to above relates to knife blades to which a linisher is more suitable. Buy a grinder it will save your sanity. Above all a grinding wheel will last a lot longer than a linisher belt on this application saving you money.

[Richard SmithersParticipant @richardsmithers68076]

Many thanks to you both.

I have a grinder so am well on the way.

Any advice on a jig so that I do the job properly?

Thanks

Richard.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Quote from Stan Bray's book "Introducing The Lathe". Some time ago a belt sander came my way and I now find that it is used in place of my grinder for tool sharpening.

his belt sander is set up vertically, with a tool rest about half way up. One place I work at times has one that fits on the right hand end of a bench grinder, it can be set up horizontally, or vertically. Ian S C

[NobbyParticipant @nobby]

I would have thought that the edge of the belt would wear very quickly .
Nobby

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

I use my vertical linisher all the while for sharpening drills

[Oompa LumpaParticipant @oompalumpa34302]

Posted by Bogstandard2 on 06/01/2014 11:40:53:

There is a large difference between grinding a lathe tool to shape and sharpening one.

Probably the wisest thing I have read in a while!

graham.

[John McNamaraParticipant @johnmcnamara74883]

Hi Richard

A linisher will cut a lot faster and cooler than a grindstone. Look for one with a solid frame and well supported rollers Some have Auto tracking mechanisms as does this industrial one ,expensive …. I wish

**LINK**

I have a Taiwanese one it is Ok but with fine belts particularly the tracking is a pain, requiring constant adjustment. I use it mainly on steel parts that I want to look good while not requiring accurate geometry.

You have to be careful with sharp edges that can dig into the belt and cause a nasty crash that can rip the belt to shreds and send your part flying. Grinding the relief angle of HSS lathe tools where you want to grind from the top face to the bottom as you would a chisel to avoid overheating the cutting edge presents a point that can dig into the belt (particularly the join in the belt) and cause just such a crash particularly if you use a rest…. I know.

For grinding HSS tools I use a grinder I built based on the Worden design I posted here a while back. Before that I used an 8 inch bench grinder with an improved large area rest.

I think adapting a bench grinder may be a better option than a linisher. You will get much better work if you diamond dress the wheel(s) and Ideally leave this machine set up for tooling and fine work only. You can get diamond cup wheels for a reasonable cost these days, maybe you could make a wheel adaptor and a new adjustable rest for one of these for the second wheel on the machine.

Regards
John

[GaryMParticipant @garym]

Hi Richard,

For a grinding rest you could have a go at Harold Hall's design, **LINK**

I haven't built one, but might in the future.

Gary

[Another JohnSParticipant @anotherjohns]

Over here in the colonies, Lee Valley Tools sells all kinds of sharpening belts for linisher machines, and, from what I have heard, they work very well for sharpening HSS tooling.

Have not bothered myself, still waiting for my old belt linisher to finally vibrate itself to death so that I can replace it with a better model…

If you go onto the lee valley.com web site, look for "Sharpening Belts"

John.

[NobbyParticipant @nobby]

Hi Guys
It puzzles me how you can grind a rake angle on linisher belt say on an 1/2" square tool bit . ?

Nobby

[michael coleParticipant @michaelcole91146]

just before I read this thread I watched a very good video on UTube about shaping a 5/8 tool bit using a 7 inch angle grinder. A lot quicker than using most off hand grinders found in home workshops. It will then need to be sharpened.

Mike

[SkarvenParticipant @skarven]

Posted by michael cole on 06/01/2014 18:13:16:

just before I read this thread I watched a very good video on UTube about shaping a 5/8 tool bit using a 7 inch angle grinder. A lot quicker than using most off hand grinders found in home workshops. It will then need to be sharpened.

Mike

I also saw a video like that. The grinding of a shaper tool was very fast. (I'm on a 2000km roundtrip to buy a Swedish 12.5 Inch shaper from about 1960 , so I was very interested). My thought was that the tool bit would heat up a lot, but it didn't seem like it in the video. Maybe the fact that the tool bit was held in a vice helped to keep it cool?

A pair of 1/4" copper plates between the Vice and the bit, and a short stick-out would help to keep it even cooler?

This is a tedious job and there is no harm in shortening it.

Kai

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

Kai..if toolbit is hss I doubt that you could over heat it.

Hi carbon on the other hand….

[SkarvenParticipant @skarven]

Jason. I thought that you should keep the hss steel from colouring when grinding. Isn't that neccesary?

Kai

[Alan .204Participant @alan-204]

Have a look on utube for a guy called oxtools I think that's his name he has a good video on sharpening HSS tool bits it should be very help full.

Al.

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Kai,

In theory HSS will keep its temper even at a red heat. It is carbon steel that will soften if overheated.

Neil

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

I always use a small angle grinder to make toolbits, usually 1/2" sq. Finish on bench grinder. Does not overheat and saves the good wheel.

[SkarvenParticipant @skarven]

Hi Neil

I'm sorry for no response as I have had a 2000km roundtrip to buy a shaper I just came home.

I have probably wasted a lot of time in my HSS grinding then. No wonder I mostly use carbide tips.

I will try out the angle grider for the shaper tool bits which are 5/8".

Kai

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